Eight Point Round Ripple Crochet Preemie Afghan

I have had so many requests for this pattern that I have decided to go ahead and publish the pattern based on the preemie size pattern.  I worked it up for donation to a hospital after working through several various 8 point patternsand conglomerating them into a pattern I was satisfied with, but had planned on working it again into a full newborn size before posting the pattern on Gather.  I do know there are many crocheters out there that, just like me, make a lot of preemie size items, so I think it will go over well, and for those wanting the full newborn size, I will post it sometime in the near future.  Those comfortable with playing around with patterns will easily be able to expand on it on there own, and if you have questions, you can always feel free to contact me to ask a question.  Since I am not writing this pattern while working a new version, I am having to go off memory for how much yarn needed, so you may want to buy a little extra just in case my memory has failed me.

Bernat Softee Chunky Yarn*:

• 2 3.5 oz skeins 39119 Denim Heather - color A
• 1 3.5 oz skeins 39008 Natural  - color B
• 1 3.5 oz skeins 40244 Harmony - color C

* or other brand bulky 5 yarn.  Most yarns have an icon on the label that gives the size of yarn - you can also select a thinner yarn and adjust the hook size, but the finished product will be a different size.

Finished Dimensions: 30 inches in diameter from point to point.

Hook: I US

Abbreviations: Ch, chain; sc, single crochet; dc, double crochet; st, stitch; sts, stitches; beg, beginning or begin; rep, repeat; tog, together; sp, space; rnd(s) round(s); yo, yarn over. 

Special Abbreviations/Instructions:

Joining with dc - attach new color to hook, yo and insert hook into space or stitch indicated, yo and pull through space or stitch indicated (three loops on hook), yo, pull through first 2 loops on hook, yo pull through last 2 loops. 

Joining with sc - attach new color to hook, insert hook into space or stitch indicated, yo and pull through space or stitch indicated (two loops on hook), yo, pull through 2 loops on hook.

Directions:

With color A, ch 4, join with sl st to form ring.

RND 1: Ch 3, work 11 dc in ring, join with sl st in top of beg ch-3 = 12 dc.

RND 2: Ch 3, dc in same sp, 2 dc in each st around, join with sl st in top of beg ch-3 = 24 dc.

RND 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in same st, dc in next 2 dc, (3 dc in next dc, dc in next 2 dc) around, join with sl st in top of beg ch-3 = 40 dc.

RND 4: (note: make sure your 3 dc groups are in the center dc of the previous row's 3 dc group)Ch 3, 3 dc in next dc, dc in next 4 dc, (3 dc in next dc, dc in next 4 dc) around, join with sl st in top of beg ch-3 = 56 dc.  Tie off color A.

RND 5: With color B, join with dc (note: make sure your beginning stitch is in the center dc of the previous row's ch 3 and 2 dc in one stitch), 2 dc in same st, dc in next 6 dc, (3 dc in next dc, dc in next 6 dc) around, join with sl st in top of beg dc = 72 dc.  Tie off color B.

RND 6: With color C, join with dc (note: make sure your beginning stitch is in the center dc of the previous row's 3 dc in one stitch), 2 dc in same st, dc in next 8 dc, (3 dc in next dc, dc in next 8 dc) around, join in top of beg dc = 88 dc. 

RND 7: (note: make sure your beginning stitch is in the center dc of the previous row's 3 dc in one stitch), Ch 2, 3 dc in next dc, *hdc in next 2 dc, sc in next 2 dc, sl st in next 2 dc, sc in next 2 dc, hdc in next 2 dc, 3 dc in next dc; repeat from * around, with last stitch being hdc which you will then join with sl st in top of beg ch-2 = 104 sts.  Tie off color C.

RND 8: With color B, join with dc, (note: make sure your beginning stitch is in the center dc of the previous row's 3 dc in one stitch), 4 dc in same st, *dc in next dc, hdc in next 2 hdc, sc in next 2 sc, skip next 2 slip sts, sc in next 2 sc, hdc in next 2 hdc, dc in next dc, 5 dc in next dc; repeat from * around, with last stitch being dc which you will then join with sl st in top of beg dc = 120 sts.  Tie off color B.

RND 9: With color A, join with dc, (note: make sure your beginning stitch is in the center dc of the previous row's 5 dc in one stitch), 4 dc in same st, *dc in next 3 dc, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next sc, skip next 2 sc, sc in next sc, hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next 3 dc, 5 dc in next dc; repeat from * around, join with sl st in top of beg dc = 136 sts.

RND 10: (note: make sure your 5 dc group is in the center dc of the previous row's 5 dc in one stitch), Ch 3, dc in next dc, 5 dc in next dc, *dc in next 4 dc, hdc in next 2 dc, sc in next hdc, skip next 2 sc, sc in next hdc, hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next 4 dc, 5 dc in next dc; repeat from * around, with last stitch being dc which you will then join with sl st in top of beg dc = 152 sts. 

RND 11: (note: make sure your 5 dc group is in the center dc of the previous row's 5 dc in one stitch), Ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, 5 dc in same st, *dc in next 5 dc, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next hdc, skip next 2 sc, sc in next hdc, hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next 5 dc, 5 dc in next dc; repeat from * around, with last stitch being dc which you will then join with sl st in top of beg Ch-3 = 168 sts. 

RND 12: (note: make sure your 5 dc group is in the center dc of the previous row's 5 dc in one stitch), Ch 3, dc in next 3 dc, 4 dc in same st, *dc in next 6 dc, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next hdc, skip next 2 sc, sc in next hdc, hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next 6 dc, 5 dc in next dc; repeat from * around, with last stitch being hdc which you will then join with sl st in top of beg Ch-3 = 184 sts. Tie off color A.

RND 13: With color B, join with dc,  (note: make sure your 5 dc group is in the center dc of the previous row's 5 dc in one stitch), 4 dc in same st, *dc in next 7 dc, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next hdc, skip next 2 sc, sc in next hdc, hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next 7 dc, 5 dc in next dc; repeat from * around, with last stitch being dc which you will then join with sl st in top of beg Ch-3 = 168 sts.  Tie off color B.

RND 14: With color C, join with dc,  (note: make sure your 5 dc group is in the center dc of the previous row's 5 dc in one stitch), 4 dc in same st, *dc in next 8 dc, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next hdc, skip next 2 sc, sc in next hdc, hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next 8 dc, 5 dc in next dc; repeat from * around, with last stitch being dc which you will then join with sl st in top of beg Ch-3 = 216 sts. 

RND 15: (note: make sure your 5 dc group is in the center dc of the previous row's 5 dc in one stitch), Ch 3, 5 dc in next dc, *dc in next 9 dc, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next hdc, skip next 2 sc, sc in next hdc, hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next 9 dc, 5 dc in next dc; repeat from * around, with last stitch being dc which you will then join with sl st in top of beg Ch-3 = 232 sts. Tie off color C.

RND 16: With color B, join with dc,  (note: make sure your 5 dc group is in the center dc of the previous row's 5 dc in one stitch), 4 dc in same st, *dc in next 10 dc, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next hdc, skip next 2 sc, sc in next hdc, hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next 10 dc, 5 dc in next dc; repeat from * around, join with sl st in top of beg Ch-3 = 248 sts.  Tie off color B.

RND 17: With color A, join with dc, (note: make sure your 5 dc group is in the center dc of the previous row's 5 dc in one stitch), 4 dc in same st, *dc in next 11 dc, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next hdc, skip next 2 sc, sc in next hdc, hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next 11 dc, 5 dc in next dc; repeat from * around, join with sl st in top of beg Ch-3 = 264 sts.

RND 18: (note: make sure your 5 dc group is in the center dc of the previous row's 5 dc in one stitch), Ch 3, 5 dc in next st, *dc in next 12 dc, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next hdc, skip next 2 sc, sc in next hdc, hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next 12 dc, 5 dc in next dc; repeat from * around, join with sl st in top of beg Ch-3 = 280 sts.

RND 19: (note: make sure your 5 dc group is in the center dc of the previous row's 5 dc in one stitch), Ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, 5 dc in same st, *dc in next 13 dc, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next hdc, skip next 2 sc, sc in next hdc, hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next 11 dc, 5 dc in next dc; repeat from * around, join with sl st in top of beg Ch-3 = 296 sts.

RND 20: (note: make sure your 5 dc group is in the center dc of the previous row's 5 dc in one stitch), Ch 3, dc in next 3 dc, 5 dc in same st, *dc in next 14 dc, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next hdc, skip next 2 sc, sc in next hdc, hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next 11 dc, 5 dc in next dc; repeat from * around, join with sl st in top of beg Ch-3 = 296 sts.  Tie off color A.

Tips: 

• To make smoother transitions from color to color, consider joining with new color in the center stitch of a different peak.  This helps to avoid obvious bulkiness where tails are tucked.

• Tuck your tails as you go: the top of the stitches form v's.  Go under the v with the tail and pull it up between the two yarns (coming up between them) four to five times, then backtrack two to three times.  As you crochet over these stitches, your tail will be securely hidden as you go, and you will not have to go back at the end to tuck in your ends.

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 My Other Patterns:

Sunshine Round Ripple Baby Afghan Pattern  

Girlie Flower Baby Afghan Pattern (Crochet)

Little Boy Blue 8 Point Round Ripple Baby Afghan

Eight Point Round Ripple Crochet Preemie Afghan

Monica's Simple Ripple Crochet Baby Blanket

Quick Stripes Baby Afghan